Fishing tournament honors Detective David White

Law enforcement, community, host first tournament to remember fallen hero

Detective David White

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – Clay County law enforcement agencies and the community held a fishing tournament Saturday in honor of fallen Detective David White.

People participating arrived at Whitey's Fish Camp in Orange Park as early as 4:30 a.m. Organizers said it was going to be a fun and exciting day, but most importantly, a day to remember a hero by doing what he loved to do.

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It's been a year and a half since White's death, but the community is still doing everything it can to remember him.

"When David was alive, he was an avid fisherman. He wanted to teach his kids to fish," Sgt. Randy Case said. "We thought it was something that would be right along the lines of a fundraiser he would want and desire."

Case is one of many helping to host the Detective David White Law Enforcement Scholarship 1st Annual Bass Fishing Tournament.

The event lasted from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. There was a live fish weigh-in at 3 p.m. to see who won the first-, second- and third-place prizes.

Case said that after the weigh-in, the fun then continued at Whitey's with food, drinks, raffle tickets, a silent auction and more.

All the money raised will go to the Detective David White Law Enforcement Scholarship, created to memorialize White, by providing financial assistance awards for applicants to attend the St. Johns River State College Law Enforcement Academy.

White was well-respected in Clay County, but Case said most importantly, he was a husband and father. Case said the continuous community support has meant so much to White's family.

"I'm sure his wife is happy that the county and the community overall has still remembered him and remembers him in a bright, great way that he was in the past," Case said. "I just believe she's very happy with what's happening."

Organizers said they had high hopes that the tournament went well so they can make it an annual event.